Finding the Sweet Spot for ASHPs
In March 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) reported that heat pump uptake was slower than expected, despite the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offering a £7,500 grant to replace an existing heating system with a new heat pump.
The target is 600,000 installs per year by 2028, which at the current pace is highly optimistic. One of the main blockers has been the cost to run a heat pump, not helped by a sceptical media that loves to promote the heat pump failures rather than celebrate the success stories.
Nesta’s heat pump survey from May 2023 reported high levels of satisfaction overall from heat pump users across building types of all ages. Over 70% of respondents were either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘fairly satisfied’ with 8 of the 10 survey attributes (which covered things like running cost, noise, safety, ease of use etc.). Nearly three-quarters (73%) of heat pump users had the same or higher levels of satisfaction with their heat pump compared to their previous heating system.
We have the coldest and leakiest homes in Europe and big problems with users experiencing discomfort. Many potential heat pump customers regretfully cite this as a reason they feel their home is not appropriate for a heat pump, as it is too cold and leaky. Poor fabric is not a technical barrier to installing a heat pump but will be a cause of poor performance. For most homes, some fabric upgrades are encouraged alongside a heat pump, but how much is enough? Where is the sweet spot?
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